"You should know the graduation rules of Manacos, Hulim."

  "To graduate from Manacos, you need to meet two requirements: fulfilling the basic graduation criteria and passing the graduation assessments."

  "The final graduation assessments consist of three parts: a theoretical assessment, an individual combat assessment, and a team assessment."

  "The theoretical assessment combines your regular academic performance and your final graduation theoretical exam score, weighted accordingly. Considering there are many unorthodox students in the academy who come and go as they please, the weight of regular grades isn’t too high......"

  Hulim: "......"

  It seemed she was one of those "come and go as they please" students. She’d been absent from the academy for over a year—out of a total of three years......

  "......But if your score is too low, it will definitely affect your final overall grade."

  "As for the individual combat assessment, unlike the theoretical assessment which spans a long period, it’s divided into a midterm combat assessment and a final combat assessment. Unfortunately......"

  "I know, I missed the midterm assessment."

  Since it was a real-time ranked assessment, make-up exams were impossible. This meant her score for this part would be blank.

  "But it’s okay. The midterm combat assessment carries a similar weight to the regular grades in the theoretical assessment—it won’t affect your graduation."

  In plain terms, this only mattered if you aimed to graduate first. Conversely, if you had no interest in that, they were irrelevant.

  "Finally, the team assessment."

  Alicia continued.

  "The team assessment only takes place during the final graduation assessment, so that’s not a problem. The issue is——"

  "The basic graduation criteria!"

  "Ah......"

  Hulim also felt a slight headache.

  "This is indeed a bit troublesome."

  The basic graduation criteria included reaching Rank C strength, completing academy-mandated tasks like field studies, and passing elective courses.

  And from what Hulim remembered,

  her elective courses had already concluded......

  ......

  ......

  A core figure of the faction led by Crown Prince Drehack Serions—the first in line for the throne among the empire’s four heirs—met with a mysterious visitor.

  "What is your purpose here?"

  The core figure asked coldly.

  Depending on the answer, the mysterious visitor might not leave the manor alive today.

  "Please calm down, Your Excellency. I come with sincere intentions......"

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  Over an hour later, the mysterious man left the manor safely, a successful smile on his face as he departed.

  The core figure, however, remained standing in the reception room, his expression uncertain.

  ......

  One day,

  at the royal residence of Third Prince Theodore Serions.

  "Who are you?"

  Third Prince Theodore propped his chin with his right hand, sitting slouched on the highest chair. Beneath his messy golden hair, his crimson eyes—like stained with blood—stared coldly at the figure below.

  "Your Royal Highness Theodore, the noble Third Prince."

  A mysterious man dressed in black cleric-like robes, with a black balance tattoo on his forehead, bowed to Theodore and said respectfully:

  "You may address me as——"

  "The ‘Investor’."

  "......The Investor?"

  Theodore narrowed his eyes, then seemed to recall something.

  "Ah, I’ve heard that name before."

  In the next moment, the temperature in Theodore’s gaze dropped sharply to freezing.

  "You have quite the nerve——, a mere war monger, daring to step into my royal residence? Do you...... wish to die?"

  "Your Highness Theodore, I come with absolute sincerity. If you wish to kill me, please allow me to finish speaking first before you decide!"

  "......Oh~?"

  Theodore’s gaze returned to calm, and he said faintly:

  "Very well, I’ll give you a chance. Speak."

  "Yes! Thank you very much!"

  Before elaborating on his plan, the "Investor" ventured to ask: "Your Highness Theodore, to what extent are you aware of your current situation?"

  "......"

  Theodore locked his gaze on the "Investor" and said coldly:

  "Are you seeking death?"

  "Oh my, I sincerely apologize for my inappropriate question just now!"

  The "Investor" bowed deeply to Theodore in apology.

  "......"

  Theodore did not respond, only staring at him coldly.

  The "Investor" continued:

  "Although this may be presumptuous, this matter concerns Your Highness Theodore’s future. Please forgive my boldness."

  After a long silence,

  "......Continue."

  Theodore finally said faintly.

  "Yes! Thank you endlessly!"

  The "Investor" raised his head and went on:

  "Your Highness Theodore, due to an accident two years ago, your faction suffered heavy losses. Since then, you’ve been betrayed by other candidates, and your faction’s strength has been severely weakened. If things continue like this, Your Highness will surely be denied the throne in the future!"

  At this point, no change was visible on Theodore’s face—he simply listened silently.

  "While your power continues to decline, the other three candidates are growing stronger by the day."

  "Crown Prince Drehack has gained almost unanimous support from the imperial army, with numerous talented and powerful subordinates. He is currently the most powerful among all candidates and the closest to the throne."

  "Fourth Princess Felena has the backing of the Royal Mage Corps and holds significant influence among the empire’s mages. She also commands a large group of loyal followers."

  "Ninth Princess Alicia’s faction has grown the fastest among the candidates! She has already secured the support of many nobles, and the Imperial Guard Knights are also leaning toward her. Her current strength is no weaker than Fourth Princess Felena’s—and may even surpass Crown Prince Drehack’s in the future......"

  "Hmph!"

  Theodore let out a cold snort.

  "Your analysis is quite incisive~, truly worthy of the war monger who has stirred up chaos in multiple countries!"

  Theodore had once enjoyed widespread support among imperial nobles, with his faction holding many real powers in the empire—making him a strong contender for the throne. But now, that influence had been greatly diminished.

  "Your Highness, you worry unnecessarily. Those were merely necessary means to achieve investment goals. After all, success always comes with a price~."

  "Oh, that statement quite suits my taste!"

  "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness!"

  The "Investor" continued:

  "To escape your current predicament, Your Highness’s only strategy is to trigger intense conflicts between the other three candidates. Only when they attack and weaken each other will Your Highness have a chance to rise again."

  "You speak so lightly. If this were possible, would I still be sitting here listening to you?"

  "Your Highness, you are mistaken. If it were impossible, why would I come to you~!"

  "Oh? Are you saying......"

  "That’s right——"

  A sinister smile appeared on the "Investor’s" face.

  "This is exactly where we intend to invest in Your Highness Theodore......"

  "......"

  After some time,

  "......I accept your investment."

  "A wise choice, Your Highness Theodore. You will not regret this decision~!"

  "But——"

  Theodore fixed his gaze on the "Investor" and suddenly said.

  "I have one more question."

  "Please ask, Your Highness~."

  "Why me?"

  "......"

  After a moment of silence,

  the "Investor" slowly raised his head, looked at Theodore, and smiled:

  "That’s because......"

  "You are the only one who will accept our investment, Your Highness Theodore!"

  "......"

  "Hahaha!"

  Theodore burst into laughter.

  "I see, so that’s it~!"

  After laughing, Theodore looked at the "Investor" and said faintly:

  "Then, let me see what you’re capable of~......"

  ......